Were excited to be your wastewater treatment provider! To help you get acquainted with our services and address any questions you may have, we are hosting a series of Customer Service Pop-Up Events in early 2025.
These events are an excellent opportunity to meet our team, learn more about your water service and get answers to any questions you might have. We are here to assist you whether you prefer to join us virtually or in person.
We look forward to connecting with you and ensuring you have a smooth and positive experience with Pennsylvania American Water.
Dear Valued Customer, I am pleased to announce that Pennsylvania American Water completed the acquisition of Butler Area Sewer Authority’s wastewater system. We have been providing high-quality, reliable water and wastewater services to communities across the state for well over a century. In fact, we’re already the water service provider for many customers in your community, and we’re committed to delivering that same standard of excellence to you as our new wastewater customer.
Hey there, fellow Butler residents! If you’ve been scratching your head about how to pay your sewer bill lately, you’re not alone There’s been a major change that’s got everyone talking – Butler Area Sewer Authority (BASA) was sold to Pennsylvania American Water on October 29, 2024
I’ve been a Butler resident for years, and this transition has definitely caused some confusion in our community. So I thought I’d put together this complete guide to help ya navigate the new system. Let’s dive in!
The Big Change: BASA to Pennsylvania American Water
First things first – BASA no longer exists as an independent entity. That’s right – the authority that used to handle our sewer services has transferred everything to Pennsylvania American Water. This means:
- BASA is no longer accepting ANY payments
- All sewer services are now handled by PA American Water
- The billing system has completely changed
- Customers with existing balances will be contacted by a collection agency
I remember getting that notice in the mail and thinking, “Wait, what do I do now?” Don’t worry – I’ve got all the answers for you.
How to Pay Your Sewer Bill Now
Since PA American Water has taken over, here’s how you can pay your bill:
Online Payment Options
Pennsylvania American Water offers several convenient ways to pay online:
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MyWater Online Account – This is probably the easiest method. Just visit amwater.com/mywater and register with your account number (which will be on your first bill from PA American).
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Paperless Billing – You can sign up for paperless billing through your MyWater account They’ll email you when your bill is ready to view,
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Auto Pay – Set up automatic payments from your checking/savings account or credit card. No more forgetting to pay!
In-Person Payment Locations
If you prefer to pay in person, PA American Water has authorized payment locations in your area:
- WAL-MART – 400 Butler Commons, Butler
- WAL-MART – 20245 Route 19, Cranberry Township
- WAL-MART – 300 Wal-Mart Drive, Gibsonia
By Phone
You can call their customer service at 1-800-565-7292. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For emergencies, this number is available 24/7.
Important Billing Changes You Need to Know
There are some significant changes to how your sewer service will be billed:
Monthly Billing (Not Quarterly)
Previously, BASA billed customers quarterly for wastewater service. Now, PA American Water will bill monthly.
If you’re already a water customer of PA American Water, your wastewater charges will simply be added to your monthly water bill. Pretty convenient, right?
The Billing Transition Period
Here’s how the billing transition is working:
- BASA billed for service through October 28, 2024
- PA American Water is billing for service from October 29, 2024 onward
- Your first bill from PA American Water will include prorated charges from October 29 through your current water meter reading date
Customer Assistance Programs
One thing I appreciate about PA American Water is their assistance programs for customers who might be struggling financially:
- H2O Help to Others Program™ – Financial assistance for qualifying residential customers
- Budget Billing – Makes payments more predictable by averaging your bill throughout the year
- Installment Plans – Helps extend the time to pay past due balances
- Preferred Due Date – Eligible customers can adjust their bill’s due date
To see if you qualify for these programs, visit amwater.com/mywater or contact their customer service.
What If I Still Have Questions About My Old BASA Bill?
If you have questions specifically about old BASA billing, you can call (724) 282-1978 and leave a message. According to their website, your call will be answered as soon as possible.
Just remember – BASA is no longer accepting payments directly. If you have an outstanding balance, you’ll be contacted by their collection agency about payment options.
Realty Transfer Program Changes
This is important for homebuyers and sellers in the area: The Realty Transfer I&I Inspection Program that BASA used to run has been discontinued. Pennsylvania American Water will not continue this program, and all escrows related to it may be released upon agreement of the parties involved.
What to Expect from Pennsylvania American Water
PA American Water has been providing water and wastewater services across Pennsylvania for over a century. Here’s what they’ve promised for Butler customers:
- Regular investments in system improvement (they plan to invest more than $75.8 million in the Butler Area wastewater system over the next five years)
- High-quality service from licensed operators
- Emergency notification system (you can sign up for alerts through MyWater)
- Customer assistance programs
- Interpreter services in many languages
Customer Service Pop-Up Events in Early 2025
Here’s something useful – PA American Water is hosting Customer Service Pop-Up Events in early 2025 to help everyone get acquainted with their services:
Virtual Appointments:
- Available Tuesdays and Thursdays (January 28 through March 6) from 12-5 p.m.
In-Person Appointments:
- Every Wednesday (January 29 through March 5) from 12-4 p.m.
- Alternating between the Butler County Chamber of Commerce (130 S. Main St.) on January 29, February 12 and 26, and the Butler Township Municipal Building (290 S. Duffy Rd.) on February 5, 19 and March 5
These events are a great chance to meet the team and get your questions answered!
My Personal Experience with the Transition
I’ll be honest – when I first heard about the change, I was a bit worried. Change is always hard, especially when it involves essential services like sewage.
When I got my first bill from Pennsylvania American Water, I was pleasantly surprised to see everything clearly explained. The transition information was detailed, and I appreciated having my water and sewer on one bill.
I did have a question about my final BASA bill, so I called the number they provided and left a message. They got back to me within 24 hours, which I thought was pretty good considering they must be swamped with calls.
FAQ About Butler Area Sewer Bill Pay
Is BASA still accepting payments?
No, BASA is no longer accepting any payments. All accounts with balances still owing will be contacted by a collection agency.
How do I pay my sewer bill now?
Your sewer bill is now handled by Pennsylvania American Water. You can pay online through MyWater, at authorized payment locations, or by phone.
How often will I be billed for sewer service?
PA American Water bills monthly, unlike BASA’s quarterly billing.
What if I have a sewage emergency?
Call PA American Water at 1-800-565-7292 and ask for Butler Wastewater. This number is available 24/7 for emergencies.
Will my rates increase?
As part of the sale agreement, PA American Water has adopted BASA’s current rates. Any future proposed changes in rates will be subject to review and approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Final Thoughts
The transition from Butler Area Sewer Authority to Pennsylvania American Water represents a significant change for our community. While change can be unsettling, PA American Water seems committed to providing reliable service and has set up multiple ways to help customers through this transition.
And hey, if you’ve had experiences with this transition – good or bad – I’d love to hear about them in the comments below! We’re all figuring this out together, and sharing our experiences can help the whole community.
Stay dry, Butler!
Note: This information is current as of October 2025. For the most up-to-date information, please contact Pennsylvania American Water directly.
Here’s how the billing transition will work.
Butler Area Sewer Authority will bill you for service through October 28, 2024. For customers already receiving a water bill from Pennsylvania American Water, wastewater charges will be included on your next monthly water bill. The wastewater charges will be prorated for service received from October 29 through the current water meter reading/bill date. Please note: Butler Area Sewer Authority will not be accepting payments on our behalf. If you prefer to pay in person, Pennsylvania American Water has agreements with authorized payment locations in your area:
- WAL-MART, 400 Butler Commons, Butler
- WAL-MART, 20245 Route 19, Cranberry Township
- WAL-MART, 300 Wal-Mart Drive, Gibsonia
We’ll bill monthly for wastewater.
Previously, Butler Area Sewer Authority billed customers quarterly for wastewater service. If you are an existing water customer of ours, your wastewater charges will be added to your monthly water bill.
